Brun-Gild rose slowly, and leaned heavily on his staff. "Have you ever lost someone you valued more than your soul, Sera? Such losses drive a person to despicable acts, though I would venture to say that my own act is far less worthy of loathing than others' deceits, wouldn't you?" He arched one ancient eyebrow at the both of them. "The House of Bathron are not only the sworn enemy of the Gild, but have also earned my personal oath of vengeance."
Telyn scowled at him. "Is that why you killed the warrior Ashes? Because he stood between you and your precious vengeance? Or was it because he was Bathron?"
Brun-Gild laughed mockingly. "Is that what you think, foolish child? That he was an obstacle, rather than an instrument?" He flung a finger at her accusingly. "You should have been mine."
Telyn's jaw dropped as stunned silence overtook her. This wasn't what she expected to hear from him. Staring into his rage-filled eyes, she swore she heard wrong. Was he actually suggesting... "What are you saying?"
"All those cycles ago..." He shook his head, and suddenly, he looked very old, indeed. Age had suddenly come to weigh him into his grave. "When she was but an apprentice, I took a fancy to young Gwneth Crydal. She was apprenticed at Flinthead, under Mercer Ollad-Gild, that stodgy old meddler."
The dark bitterness of his words slapped Telyn, and she knew that her father's death was no act of household honor or war. It was an act of petty revenge, because Gwneth Crydal had gifted her love to him, rather than to the man who felt entitled by House rank to it.
Brun-Gild appeared oblivious, lost in his own story. "I saw her there, when I was overseeing a shipment of Dorfaíle to go North. I craved her, wanted to mold her into all that I could envision. So I talked Mercer into letting me finish her training. It took three of my best Dorfaíle and twenty rounds of gele, but I did it. Here, I set about training her. I molded her, shaped her to be the perfect and purest Healer. I wooed her, attended her, until she slowly began to find pleasure in my company. I planned, over time, to make her mine, and mine alone. Then the Gildgard required her services, and took her away with a troop. When she came back, she was a different woman, though still pure."
Nacaris snorted. "A woman alone with a troop? Not bloody likely."
Brun-Gild shot him a sour glare. "I could tell."
This had to be some kind of joke, or mistake. Telyn shook her head, trying to make sense of the incomprehensible. Her mother wasn't the fickle type. In all her cycles of life, Telyn couldn't recall her mother ever so much as casting an interested eye over a man. "But..."
Brun-Gild's head hung for a moment, and his shoulders slumped. "But she no longer wanted me, either. At first, she seemed absorbed completely in her Healing arts, and I could accept that. Then, she gave all I made her to that worthless Bathron whoreson. I watched her interest turn completely to the mountain, and she would disappear for days at a time. Then, one day, I followed her, and found her with him. She was no longer pure. Before long, she had the radiance of childbearing."
His ancient hands shook, clutching his staff with a white-knuckled grip. "I pretended to befriend Ashes, and then, ended Gwneth's dalliance with one swift stroke as her paramour slept at the base of the mountain. But it was already too late. She never looked at me again, the ungrateful whore. She actually had the gall to mourn him."
Telyn's brow furrowed. This man was more twisted than she thought. "You killed him because my mother loved him?"
"That is rather extreme," Nacaris agreed as he moved to lean casually against the wall near the room's only door. What he was doing wasn't lost on Telyn. He wasn't about to let his captive get away, but he was content to let her interrogate the elderly Master for her own ends. Warm gratitude moved in her chest, but the shock of what she learned dulled her appreciation of his gift.
"There were other reasons," Brun-Gild snapped. "There were quests to which I gave my soul. The Bathron smothered them, one by one, over the cycles of my life. In Gwneth, I saw one last quest, one final glory that I thought no man, least of all the Bathron, could take from me."
Nacaris barked a laugh. "There was your first mistake, mate. No woman is property, and they're not partial to being thought of as goals, either."
Brun-Gild ignored him. "Ashes stole her. Damn him, he stole her from me. All of the Bathron will die for that crime. Every last one, starting with you!"
He launched himself at her, surprisingly agile for such an old man. Even as Telyn darted out of his way, Nacaris was suddenly there, grasping the old man's wrist and bending his arm up behind him. "Not so fast, mate."
Fresh fury pulsed through Telyn, spurred on by adrenaline, as her heart pounded loud in her ears. Drawing her anaqueri, she was in his face in a flash, the blade laid lightly against his frail skin. "I can't, and won't, let you destroy everything sacred to me."
"Telyn..." Nacaris warned her with a stern look.
Telyn spared him a glance. "I won't let him start a war, Nacaris, or kill my father's people like he did my father."
"And killing him won't bring your father back."
Her gaze rose to Nacaris' again as surprise jolted her. He sounded like he knew exactly what she was feeling. The dark pain in his eyes confirmed it, and left her to wonder again who this mercenary really was.
With a muttered oath, Telyn released her hold on Brun-Gild and turned to call for the Minegards outside. She swung back around as the old man gasped as if his lungs were incapable of drawing air. He stared at the floor at her side in wide-eyed horror, and he was pale enough to blend in with a blizzard.
"Nacaris!"
He released his hold on the old man, but stayed close. The concern in his eyes told her that he hadn't missed Brun-Gild's sudden lapse. Still, the old man didn't move, trembling as he clung to his staff, staring at the floor. Glancing down, Telyn finally understood. Her father's insignia must have slipped from her belt and fluttered to the floor during their struggle. Now, its golden threads shone like flames in the flickering candlelight.
"The Phoenix," Brun-Gild muttered to himself, his entire frame shaking with the words. "Blessed Helios, I thought I still had time..."
Telyn's brows drew together, and her annoyance bubbled up again. Was this all a game he was playing? "What are you mumbling about now, old man?"
Brun-Gild continued to shake as he moved slowly to sit in his chair. "The night after I killed him, I dreamed of a phoenix rising from Ashes' pyre. I thought it was his spirit, come to plague me, but you... you... are that phoenix!"
Fresh pain and confusion launched through Telyn, and she closed her eyes to keep from showing that weakness to either of these men. "I don't know what I am, except that I don't belong to either House. I belong to Raiador. Now, your game is up, Brun-Gild. Let's go."
He sighed and slumped into his chair with a shake of his head. "I am old, Sera. I won't fight you, but nor can you kill me outright. You are bound by blood to protect me. I am still a Master of the House of Gild."
"I have no such difficulty," Nacaris reminded him as he stepped toward where the old man sat, his intention clear.
"Wait." Telyn raised a hand, halting Nacaris, before she turned her sardonic glare on Brun-Gild.
"I don't need to kill you, old man. Perhaps you should spend your time worrying less about what I will do to you, and more time worrying about what Mistress Lanoki will do to you when she arrives."
Brun-Gild sprang from his seat as if someone covered it in biting bugs. His calm demeanor was gone, and he glared back at Telyn. "You wouldn't dare!"
"I already have. You're going to be a guest in the Garda cells until she arrives."
Telyn shifted forward a step, even as she glimpsed Nacaris do the same out of the corner of her eye. Before either of them could blink, let alone react, Brun-Gild was suddenly gone, a puff of smoke and shower of sparks all that remained of him in the room.
"Where in all the Realms of Rakul did he go?" Nacaris looked baffled, and more than a little fearful.
Telyn rolled her head with a heavy sigh. Why hadn't she seen this
coming? She knew what the AlcheMaster was capable of. "We'd need a Seer to know."
With a muttered oath, Telyn kicked the Master's chair, then whipped around and stalked from the room. She wasn't looking forward to having to break the news to her Mistress that she failed.
Chapter Six
Telyn winced as she crossed the courtyard to meet Lanoki on her arrival. She offered the GarMistress a respectful salute, and prayed that Lanoki's famous temper wouldn't show itself when she heard the news Telyn had to give her.
"Mistress, forgive me, but Master Brun-Gild has escaped. He disappeared before our eyes. I have patrols scouting the area between here and the rivers and nearest cities. They may still find him." She couldn't help the doubt that threaded her voice. She didn't have much confidence in their ability to find Brun-Gild, at this point.
She glanced up at Lanoki, and winced. She hoped the GarMistress would grant her next request, but Lanoki's stormy expression didn't bode well for that. "Now that you, as Mistress, are here, I ask your permission to track Brun-Gild down myself. I know it's against our code to hunt or track members of the Household, but I respectfully request your indulgence to correct the mistake I made in allowing him to escape."
Lanoki's slim eyebrow rose. "You won't take no for an answer, will you?"
"She's like that, Mistress."
The new voice drew both women's attention, and Telyn suppressed a shaft of impatience. Why was he constantly sticking his nose in her business? "What are you still doing here, mercenary?"
Nacaris tilted her a cocky grin and a wink. "I was just leaving, Sera. But it appears we're tracking the same man."
Lanoki sat back in her saddle, her mount protesting the move with a snort. Telyn returned her attention to her Mistress, to see open speculation on Lanoki's face. Oh, no.
"Mistress, I can track Brun-Gild on my own. It's my responsibility--"
"And I have a contract with your GrandMaster, Sera. I believe my contract trumps your honor call."
Anger flashed through Telyn. Was he deliberately trying to infuriate her? She opened her mouth to fire a shot back.
"Silence! Both of you." Lanoki's shrill demand made Telyn cringe. This did not bode well. She glanced up at Lanoki as the GarMistress looked between them, and then focused her gaze on Nacaris. "Mercenary, you've been contracted to ferret out this man, Brun-Gild?"
Nacaris nodded shortly. "As he is the traitor Master Wychel feared, aye, I have."
"I see." Her gaze travelled back and forth, and Telyn's heart sank. She was going to lose her chance to exact justice.
"Mistress--"
"I said silence, Sera Telyn," Lanoki snapped. Then her quicksilver eyes went hard. "Pel Brun-Gild has betrayed our House, and all we hold sacred. It is the decision of the Council that he be disgraced of the House of Gild. The Council no longer recognizes Pel Brun as a member of this House. He has come to disgrace, and is declared traitor and saboteur. It is the Council's decision that he be formally charged for these crimes, and all resources necessary be applied to apprehending and standing him before the Council. Having said that, it is my decision that both of you are hereby charged with the capture and return of this criminal."
Telyn froze. She had to put up with Nacaris until they captured Brun-Gild? She swallowed hard as she glanced at him, and the wink he threw her caused her heart to move strangely in her chest. She wasn't sure she could do this. A grim smile inched over her face. Lanoki just made certain she had no choice. Fine. "I won't fail this time."
"You mean we won't fail."
She ignored him, and turned toward the stables. Lanoki's voice stopped her in her tracks. "Hold, Sera. There is another matter we must discuss before you leave."
"I'll meet you at the stables." Something in Nacaris' tone told Telyn she didn't really want to turn and look back at the GarMistress. She offered him a short nod, then turned, but refused to lift her gaze.
"Lift your head, Telyn." Lanoki's voice was gentle in a way that terrified Telyn. Lanoki was a hard, if fair, woman. She'd never before heard a gentle word from the GarMistress. Hesitant, she raised her gaze to Lanoki's, to see pride in the GarMistress' eyes. "Your mother went to the Council of Ministers when she heard where you were sent, and told them the truth of your birth. You have been acknowledged and accepted to the House. I was waiting until you returned to tell you, but now seems a fitting time. You are Gild."
"No." Telyn fingered her father's insignia, hanging from her belt. As much as she appreciated the Gild's gesture, she couldn't accept it. "I am not of your House, nor of the Bathron. I am both, and I will bear neither name alongside my own, nor give either dominion over the other. I am Phoenix Telyn Gwndal, and nothing more. I would also like to request severance from the Gildgard ranks once I complete this mission."
Lanoki reacted to this last request as if Telyn slapped her in the face, but Telyn had to ask this. She'd had time to think about it, over the past four days since Brun-Gild's escape, and she couldn't fulfill her destiny as long as she remained with the Gildgards.
Lanoki finally spluttered out an answer. "The anaqueri and its Chosen cannot be separated."
A sad smile tugged at Telyn's lips. "For thirteen cycles, I lived outside of the Gild with my anaqueri. Perhaps it was meant that I stay that way."
After a moment's silence, Lanoki sighed heavily. "I shall never understand you, but very well. You may keep the anaqueri, with our blessing. Your mother may remove your Gildgard mark when you return, if you wish. You are always welcome, wherever there are Gild. I will see that you are given script of that, should you choose to have the mark removed."
Telyn acknowledged Lanoki's gift with a nod. Then, tying her father's insignia around her upper arm, Telyn turned toward the stables again. As she did, she stopped, her gaze resting on Raiador. Helios Himself bathed the mountain in dawn's light, and Telyn watched His blood-red warning paint the sky. Somewhere out there, Brun-Gild was running, and she'd find him, if it was the last thing she ever did. Her eyes turned to the mountain again, narrowing, as she made a sacred blood oath to her slain father. She would avenge him.
Chapter Seven
Telyn sighed as she eased herself from Bloodcloud's saddle, and glanced at her riding companion. They were less than two days from Brassanburg, and they'd been riding for days, now. She didn't complain, driven on by her own need for vengeance. However, she still didn't understand what drove Nacaris. He had no personal stake in this that she could see. A mercenary hired to uncover a traitor had no reason to rush that apprehension. Yet, Nacaris rode like the serpent Rakul was hard on his heels.
"We're stopping?" Nacaris' tone was rife with disapproval.
Telyn glanced over her shoulder as she untied her bedroll from Bloodcloud's back.
"I don't know about you, but I'm done in. I need a proper sleep, not in a saddle. One night won't change our hunt."
He regarded her silently for a long moment, and that assessing gaze sent shock through her that Telyn didn't want to acknowledge. She didn't have time for softer emotions. Since that night in the caverns of Raiador, she had only one focus -- the Phoenix Book. She had to find it, and if her hunch was correct, Pel Brun was about to lead her directly to it.
Her aching muscles protested the long, punishing ride of the past few days as she moved about, gathering firewood, while Nacaris saw to the horses. She frowned as she cleared a spot and stacked the wood. She had no flints or Dorfaíle with which to light a fire. She turned her head to ask Nacaris, when a tiny giggle sounded in her ear. Glancing down, she found Sala lounging on her shoulder, and blinked.
"What are you doing here?" She breathed the question, afraid Nacaris would turn and see.
Fire can go where it pleases. I am not tied to Raiador, as you believe. Sala preened delicately, a mellow yellow-orange color. Besides, you called me.
"No, I didn't."
You want to light the fire, yes? Sala bounced gaily up from her shoulder and spun in the air. Until you learn to do it yourself, I am your f
irestarter.
Telyn blinked again, nonplussed. "What do you mean, until I learn to do it myself?"
In time, young Phoenix, you will learn to control the fire that burns within you. You will learn to will that fire into the world of sight, not just of spirit. Until then... Sala dropped down into the heart of the wood. Before Telyn's eyes, the dry tinder went up in a bright blaze, and the fire was crackling merrily. A sigh of pleasure echoed from inside the blaze, and Telyn couldn't resist a chuckle. Sala wasn't fooling her -- the imp was looking for any chance to play.
"What's so amusing?"
Telyn tilted her head to see Nacaris standing beside her, and her grin collapsed. He couldn't know about Sala. "Nothing."
His eyes, shadowed in the firelight, had an odd look in them. It pulled her in and captivated her. Blessed Kishfa, she hadn't realized how tall he was until now. His silent, commanding presence folded over her like a cocoon, both comforting and claustrophobic. Her heart raced, and her pulse galloped in her ears like a horse at full speed. She didn't want to know what he was thinking, or what she was feeling, as he dropped to one knee beside her, their gazes still joined.
"Who are you, Telyn Gwndal?" The question was a husky breath from his lips, and she had the distinct feeling he was about to touch her. Telyn sucked in a sharp breath. She couldn't allow that.
Yanking her gaze away, she fixed it on the fire, and immediately wished she hadn't as Sala's curious gaze looked up at her from the flames. She wasn't about to explain herself to either of them.
Yet, before she could stop herself, the damning words fell from her lips. "I don't know."
This was getting too personal. She needed something to do. Hopping to her feet, she retreated to where the saddlebags sat, and scrounged up some dried meat, a loaf of bread, and a skin of watered wine. These were the last of her travelling rations since Colandra. She hadn't thought to restock at the Minanx Camp. Couldn't be helped. Tomorrow, she'd hunt up some small game, and the day after, they'd been in Brassanburg. She could provision there -- the city was one of the Gild's largest trading centers.
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